Thermal behavior of mixtures of bentonitic clay and saline solutions

Thermophysical characterization is a useful tool for studying mixtures of clay and saline solutions and evaluating their suitability from a thermotherapic point of view. This work focuses on studying the specific heat capacity, density, thermal conductivity and viscosity of a bentonitic clay (composed mainly of 55% Na+-saturated trioctahedral smectite, 28% sepiolite and 15% illite) mixed with different saline solutions (0, 1, 2, 3 and 3.5%) in the temperature range 293.15 to 317.15 K. The results indicate meaningful differences in the thermal behavior of the studied pastes in relation to thermotherapy and pelotherapy.

► We have characterized pastes of bentonitic clay mixed with marine waters. ► We report specific heat capacity measurements using Calvet calorimetry principle. ► The increase in specific heat capacity with temperature is due to the clay content. ► The concentration of water rules the behavior of thermophysical properties. ► In addition to thermal properties of pastes, the presence of ions is favorable.